Liquid product dispenser

ABSTRACT

A liquid product dispenser of the type in which a pressurized volatile liquid propellant is contained within a propellant cartridge housed within a container for the product to be dispensed. The propellant is selectively discharged through a discharge passage into the atmosphere under the control of a discharge valve. A delivery conduit for the product within the container is arranged in aspirating relation to the discharge passage so that discharge of the propellant draws the product from the container through the delivery conduit for entrainment in and discharge with the propellant. This conduit extends between the walls of a double-walled propellant cartridge, so that the product flows through said conduit in heat-exchange relation with the propellant to transfer part of its heat to the propellant for use in enhancing the rate of evaporation or volatilization of the latter.

United States Patent" 1 Corsette Nov. 27, 1973 LIQUID PRODUCT DISPENSER Primary ExaminerSamuel F. Coleman [75] Inventor: Douglas F. Corsette, Los Angeles, Amstam Exammer-Norman Stack Calm v Attorney-Watson et al. [73] Assignee: Diamond International Corporation,

New York, NY. [57] ABSTRACT A liquid product dispenser of the type in which a pres- [22] Flledl g- 1971 surized volatile liquid propellant is contained within a Appl. No.: 171,246

propellant cartridge housed within a container for the product to be dispensed. The propellant is selectively discharged through a discharge passage into the atmo- U-S. CI. here under the control of a discharge valve. A deliv- [5 Intery conduit for product the container is ar- Field of Search 146 A, I ranged in aspirating relation to the discharge passage ZZZ/145140224, 146 C, 146 HC, 143; so that discharge of the propellant draws the product 239/308, 337 y from the container through the delivery conduit for entrainment in and discharge with the propellant. This [56] References Cited conduit extends between the walls of a double-walled UNITED STATES PATENTS propellant cartridge, so that the product flows through 3 527 388 9 1970 Cooprider 222 193 Said conduit in heat-exchange relation with the P P 2,749,09 195 l 222 14 C lant to transfer part of its heat to the propellant for 3,259,273 7/1966 Kromer 222/145 X use in enhancing the rate of evaporation or volatili- 3,339,806 9/1967 Reich et al.... 222/146 HA zation of the latter. 2,873,351 2/1959 Lannert 222/146 HA 9 Cl 2 D F, 3,612,362 10 1971 Champagne 222 40224 aims "awmg gums 3,615,042 10/1971 Marand ZZZ/402.24

I 60 g, 52 st. 62 600 v i so 502 54 -eob 14 24 d :i t 1 22 2%- r 94 r f 4 j:

III '10 2e -;iI J i11j1 t4 PMENIEDNUVZ? I975 SHEET 2 OF 2 w j M 1 LIQUID PRODUCT DISPENSER This invention relates to improvements in a liquid product dispenser of the well-known type exemplified by the Cooprider U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,388, granted Sept. 8th 1970, and the Abplanalp et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,469, granted June th 1967. In the type of dispenser exemplified in these patents, the propellant, which usually is a volatile pressurized liquid such as Freon, is maintained within-a small pressure vessel or cartridge which is housed within the product container and which is associated with a suitable dispensing valve controlling a discharge passage for selectively releasing propellant into the atmosphere. The propellant discharge passage is in aspirating relation to a product delivery conduit having an intake end or port within the.

container in communication with the product to be dispensed.

During the dispensing operation, the liquid propellant is vaporized and discharged in the form of a gas, thereby removing heat from the body of liquid propellant. Unless such heat is replaced, at least in part, throughout an extended dispensing operation, the rate of evaporation may decrease to the point where the rate of discharge of the propellant and product is appreciably slowed and inefficient. Although this problem is inherent in all aerosol dispensers using a volatile liquid propellant, it is particularly acute in the type of dispenser here under consideration, inasmuch as the propellant cartridge, by virtue'of its disposition within the product container, is barred from direct heat exchange relation with the ambient atmosphere. Moreover, for practical considerations, such a cartridge'is normally disposed within the upper portion of the container and is not in efficient heat exchange relation with the liquid product within the container.

An attempt has been made to solve this probelm in the above identified Abplanalp et al. patent, by arranging the product flow line or conduit to extend into and through the propellant cartridge so that the product flowing therethrough is in heat exchange relation with the liquified propellant to transfer a portion of its heat thereto for offsetting the loss of heat from the propellant which occurs by evaporation.

Where the product delivery conduit thus extends through the propellant cartridge, this necessarily involves a problem in avoiding leakage or seepage of the pressurized propellant from the cartridge at the location where the conduit passes through thecartridge wall. Moreover, the capacity of the. cartridge is diminished to the extent that its volume is occupied by the product delivery conduit.

With the foregoing considerations in mind, the present invention contemplates forming the propellant cartridge, at least in part, with a double .wall construction including inner and outer jackets in snug telescoping or nesting relation defining at their interface a heat exchange segment of the product passage or conduit which encircles the inner jacket to convey the product in intimate heat exchange relation with the liquidpropellant within the inner jacket, while being located wholly outside of and isolating the product from said inner jacket. This segment of the product conduit or passage has an inlet port for the product opening through the outer jacket into the product container. In accordance with the preferred form of the invention,

the said heat exchange segment of the product conduit is defined primarily by a groove in the inner wall or surface of the outer jacket, which groove extends generally circumferentially or spirally around the inner jacket so as to maintain the hoop strength of the outer jacket for strongly reinforcing the inner jacket against the expansive forces of the propellant, while the inner jacket may be of relatively thinner and frailer construction to increase its heat conductivity.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the inner and outer jackets aforementioned have telescopically arranged cylindrical walls closed at their lower ends, with the inlet port extending through said lower end of the outer jacket. The upper axial ends of the jackets are open and are closed by a plug, the plug and the said jackets all cooperating to define interconnecting portions or segments of the product flow passage. These segments are arranged for communication with each other in all realtive positions of angular orientation of the parts, whereby to relative their assembly.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 FlG. l is an axial cross-section through a liquid product dispenser incorporating the preferred features of the invention, portions thereof being broken away, the

various parts thereof being shown in their closed or non-dispensing position.

FIG. 2 is a view generally similar to FIG. 1, but with the parts shown in their dispensing position, and with the lower portions of the product container and propellant cartridge removed.

In addition to closing the container 10, the plug 16 serves as a closure for the propellant cartridge, generally designated 30, which is supported by the plug 16 within the container 10 to house a supply of a compressed volatile liquid propellant such as Freon.

The closure cap 14 also supports and houses a selectively controllable propellant .valve of conventional construction, including a valve body 32 guided for movement in a valve cage 34, and having an enlarged supporting flange 36' at its upper end snap-fitted into a conformingly shaped recess in the lower face of the closure cap plug 16 within the cartridge 30. This flange 36 also servse to clamp the outer periphery of the resiliently flexible annular valve diaphragm 38 in position against the end of the recess. Normally (and as illustrated in FIG. 1), the valve 32 is resiliently urged to its closed position in sealing engagmenet with the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm 38 by means of a valve spring 40, compressed between the valve 32 and the bottom of cage 34. Propellant enters the valve cage through the opening-41 in its side wall.

The valve 32 is controlled by means of a valve stem 42 movable through a central opening in the closurecap 14 and extending therethrough into the atmosphere. Carried at the external end of the valve stem 42 is a dispensing or discharge head 44 formed with a finger piece 45 for engagement by the users finger to apply pressure. A propellant passage 46, controlled by the valve 32 extends from the cartridge interior through the valve stem and discharge head, terminating at its outer end in a constricted portion or nozzle 46a,

from which the propellant is ejected through the orifice 48 of the discharge head.

The restricted nozzle 46a of the propellant discharge passage intersects and is in aspirating relation with the terminal end of a product conduit or passage comprising passage segments 50a through 50]" respectively which, in the present embodiment, is interposed between the nozzle 46a and the orifice 48 so that the product which is drawn through the conduit 50 from the container 10, intersects and is delivered into the jet of propellant discharged through the nozzle 46a, to intermingle therewith and be discharged together therewith through the spray orifice 48.

In order to prevent undesirable seepage and loss of the liquid product through the product passage 50 during shipping and storage of the dispenser, it is desirable to close such passage during periods of non-use by a suitable product valve 52 carried by the valve stem 42 for seating engagement with the inner peripheral portion of a resiliently flexible annular valve diaphragm 54 which is clamped between the top wall of closure cap 14 and a clamping member in the form of an annulus 56 encircling the valve stem 42 and having a depending annular rib 58 snap-fitted into a conformingly shaped groove in the top wall of the closure cap.

The product valve 52 is normally seated against the inner peripheral portion of the diaphragm 54 as shown in FIG. 1, to disrupt communication between the terminal portion or segment 50f of the product conduit extending through the valve stem and head, and the valve inlet segment 50e of the same conduit, extending through the plug 16. The product and propellant valves 52 and 32, respectively, are opened and closed together by vertical or axial movement of their common valve stem 42. Manifestly, if desired, the product valve 52 may be omitted and the product passage or conduit 50 may maintain communication at all times between the interior of the product container and the atmosphere, though in such event, loss of product may occur in the event the container is inverted.

In the particular embodiment here illustrated, the valve diaphragm 54 performs a double function. Its inner peripheral portion serves as a valve seat for the product valve 52, as above described, while its outer peripheral portion serves as an automatic venting valve, substantially as in the above referred to C00- prider U. S. Pat. No. 3,527,388 and as in my copending application, Ser. No. 58,583, filed July 27th 1970. It will be seen that the closure cap is formed to define a venting release passage, generally designated 60 and extending downwardly through the clearance space between the clamping member 56 and the valve stem, thence radially outwardly over the diaphragm 54 to a valve seat 62 overlying and normally engaged by the outer peripheral edge of the resiliently flexible diaphragm 54. Beneath the diaphragm 54, the said passage 60 includes an annular channel 60a formed within the underlying portion of the plug 16 and an opening 60b through the plug from said annular channel into the container interior.

With this arrangement, whenever the pressure within the container is reduced substantially below that of the ambient atmosphere, as by dispensing of the liquid product from the container, the pressure of the atmospheric air on the upper surface of the diaphragm 54 will deflect its radially outer edge downwardly away from the valve seat 62 so that atmospheric air may flow around said edge and thence through the vent passage portions into the container.

My invention resides in the particular construction and arrangement of the propellant cartridge 30 to incorporate therein the major portion of the product flow path or conduit 50, including the product inlet port 4v 50a, a connecting conduit section 50b from the port to a spirally arranged heat exchange segment 500, the annular collecting conduit segment 50d and the valve inlet 50e.

In addition to the plug 16, which constitutes both the support for the cartridge 30 and a closure for its upper end, the propellant cartridge 30 comprises an inner jacket or receptacle 64 and an outer jacket 66, both being of generally cylindrical conformation, open at their upper ends for reception of and cooperation with the plug 16, and closed at their lower ends which, in the illustrated embodiment, are of domed or hemispherical configuration. The inner jacket or receptacle 64 cooperates with the plug 16 to define a propellant chamber 65 which is completely enclosed so that the propellant is isolated from the product within the container 10 until such time as the product is discharged and merges with the jet stream of propellant issuing through the discharge nozzle 46a.

Theinner and outer jackets are arranged to define at their interface the portions or segments 50b and 50c of the product conduit which encircle the inner jacket and are arranged to conduct the product from the inlet port 50a in intimate heat exchange relation with the outer surface of the jacket 64 via the conduit connector segment 50b to and through the spiral heat exchange segment 50e, the latter of which communicates at its upper end with the annular collector passage 50d for delivery of the product to the valve inlet segment 50e, thence under the control of the product valve 52 (where the latter is employed) to and through the conduit segment 50f defined by the valve stem and the dispensing head.

In the preferred arrangement, the spiral-heatexchange segment 50c of the product conduit is defined by a spiral groove formed in the cylindrical inner surface portion of the outer jacket 66 and extending for substantially the full axial length thereof, the inner side of said grooves being closed by the inner jacket 64, which is snugly received in nesting or telescoping relation within the outer jacket 66.

The connecting product conduit segment 50b is preferably formed by having the outer surface of the hemispherical lower end ofthe inner jacket of slightly less diameter than the opposed inner surface portion of the outer jacket.

The product inlet port 50a which opens into the interior of the product container 10 may be located closely adjacent to the bottom of the container as in FIG. 1, where the container is a relatively'shallow one. However, where a comparatively deeper container is employed, in which the cartridge would not normally extend closely adjacent to its bottom, then the inlet port 50a is adapted for telescopic reception of a conventional dip tube extending to the bottom of the container.

With the foregoing arrangement of the conduit segment 50b between the inlet port 50a and spiral segment 500, it will be readily apparent that the segment 50bwill establish communication between the port 50a and the lower end of the spiral segment 500 in all relative positions of rotation of the inner and outer jackets about their common cylindrical axis; thus making possible the assembly of these jackets without necessity for relative orientation.

Similarly, the annular collector passage 50d is arranged to establish communication between the upper end of spiral conduit segment 50c and the valve inlet segment 502 of the'product conduit in all positions of relative orientation of the assembled inner and outer jackets with respect to the plug 16.

Except for the area occupied by the spiral groove 50c, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the outer jacket 66 snugly embraces and reinforces the inner jacket 64, against internal pressures and where, as here illustrated, the groove is of spiral configuration of relatively small pitch, the outer jacket retains substantially all of its hoop strength for resisting expansion of the inner jacket, whereas if the groove 50c were to extend in an axial direction, the hoop strength would be substantially decreased. By the same token, the outer jacket will preferably be formed with comparatively thick walls for increased strength, 'whereas the inner jacket may be formed with a comparatively thin wall for increased heat transfer efficiency, while relying for its strength upon the outer jacket. The inner jacket may be formed either of a plastic material and sufficiently thin to permit relatively efficient heat transfer or, if desired, may be formed of a suitableconductive metal.

In the use of the dispenser above described, it will be appreciated that the container will be substantially filled with the liquid product to be dispensed, while the cartridge will be charged with a suitable highly volatile liquid propellant such as Freon.

Normally, the propellant valve 32and also the product valve 52 will be closed by action ofthe valve spring 40, all as shown in FIG. 1. I

When it is desired to dispense the product through the discharge or dispensing head 44, a downward finger pressure on the upper end surface thereof sufficient to depress the valve stem 42 and valves 32 and 52 against the action of springs 40, will result in opening these valves. When the propellant valve 32 is thus opened, there will normally be a portion of vaporized propellant in the upper portion of the cartridge 30 above the body of liquid propellant therein, and this vaporized propellant will expand upwardly past the unseated valve 32 through thepropellant passage 46 and its nozzle 46a and across the upper end of the product conduit 50f, drawing the product upwardly through the product inlet port 500 into and through the successive product conduit segments 50b-50f to intermingle with the propellant and be'discharged therewith throughthe spray orifice 48.

In passing upwardly through the passage segments 50b and 500, the liquid product will be in heat exchange relationship withthe propellant through the ,comparatively thin wall of the inner jacket 64, though isolated therefrom, and a portion of its heat will thus be transferred through the inner jacket 64 to the propellant. Such heat replaces a substantial portion of the heat withdrawn from the propellant as anincident to its evaporation and volatilisation, and thus particularly contributes to an improved and efficient continuation of the propellant discharge, even throughout an extended continuation of such discharge, as where a substantial amount of the product is to be dispensed.

In this application, there has been specifically illustrated and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention though it is to be recognized that the invention is capable of different embodiments and of modification of its various parts, all without departing from the inventive concept as defined in the appended claism.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A liquid product dispenser of the type in which a volatile pressurized liquid propellant from a propellant cartridge defining a propellant chamber housed within the product container, is evaporated and selectively discharged into the atmosphere through a discharge passage under the control of a discharge valve, there being a delivery conduit for said product having an inlet end in communication with the product in the container, and having a delivery end in aspirating relation with said discharge passage, whereby discharge of propellant draws product through said delivery conduit for entrainment in and discharge with the propellant; the improvement wherein a portion of said delivery conduit between its inlet and delivery ends encircles said propellant chamber externally thereof and in heat exchange relation with said propellant.

2. A liquid product dispenser of the type defined in claim 1, in which said cartridge comprises inner and outer jackets in snug nesting relation defining said portion of the delivery conduit between them.

3. A propellant cartridge for an aspirating type liquid dispenser, comprising a generally cylindrical inner jacket of cylindrical configuration closed at one end 1 and open at the other, an outer cylindrical jacket closed at its corresponding end, said inner jacket being snugly telescopically disposed in said outer jacket with the adjacent cylindrical surfaces of said jackets in snug engagement with each other, the inner face of said cylindrical portion of the outer jacket being formed with a continuous spiral groove encircling said inner jacket,

the closed end of said outer jacket having a product inlet port opening therethrough and communicating with said spiral groove, a plug closing the open ends of aid inner and outer jackets, said inner and outer jackets being relatively spaced apart at their open ends to define an annular collector passage communicating with said spiral groove, said plug being formed with a portion of a product delivery passage communicating with said annular collector passage in all positions of relative angular orientation of the plug and the said jackets.

4. A propellant cartridge as defined in claim 3 in which the closed ends of, said jackets are relatively spaced apart to define a connecting passage between. said inlet port and said spiral groove in all positions of relative angular orientation of the inner and outer jackets about their cylindrical axes.

5. A liquid product dispenser of the type in which a volatile pressurized liquid propellant from a propellant cartridge defining apropellant chamber housed within the product container is evaporated and selectively discharged into the atmosphere through a discharge passage under the control of a discharge valve, there being a delivery conduit for said product having an inlet end in communication with the product in the container, and having a delivery end in aspirating relation with said discharge passage, whereby discharge of propellant draws product through said delivery conduit for entrainment in and discharge with the propellant; the improvement wherein a portion of said delivery conduit between its inlet and delivery end encircles said propellant chamber externally thereof and in heat exchange relation with said propellant, said cartridge 5 comprising inner and outer jackets in snug nesting relation, said portion of the delivery conduit being defined in part by a groove formed in one of said jackets at their interface, said groove encircling the inner jacket.

wherein said inner and outer jackets include portions of cylindrical configuration in snug telescoping relation and at the interface of which said groove is formed, said groove being of spiral configuration coaxial with said cylindrical jackets.

9. A liquid product dispenser as defined in claim 8, in which said delivery conduit is in part defined by a continuous spiral groove in the inner surface of said outer jacket. 

1. A liquid product dispenser of the type in which a volatile pressurized liquid propellant from a propellant cartridge defining a propellant chamber housed within the product container, is evaporated and selectively discharged into the atmosphere through a discharge passage under the control of a discharge valve, there being a delivery conduit for said product having an inlet end in communication with the product in the container, and having a delivery end in aspirating relation with said discharge passage, whereby discharge of propellant draws product through said delivery conduit for entrainment in and discharge with the propellant; the improvement wherein a portion of said delivery conduit between its inlet and delivery ends encircles said propellant chamber externally thereof and in heat exchange relation with said propellant.
 2. A liquid product dispenser of the type defined in claim 1, in which said cartridge comprises inner and outer jackets in snug nesting relation defining said portion of the delivery conduit between them.
 3. A propellant cartridge for an aspirating type liquid dispenser comprising a generally cylindrical inner jacket of cylindrical configuration closed at one end and open at the other, an outer cylindrical jacket closed at its corresponding end, said inner jacket being snugly telescopically disposed in said outer jacket with the adjacent cylindrical surfaces of said jackets in snug engagement with each other, the inner face of said cylindrical portion of the outer jacket being formed with a continuous spiral groove encircling said inner jacket, the closed end of said outer jacket having a product inlet port opening therethrough and communicating with said spiral groove, a plug closing the open ends of aid inner and outer jackets, said inner and outer jackets being relatively spaced apart at their open ends to define an annular collector passage communicating with said spiral groove, said plug being formed with a portion of a product delivery passage communicating with said annular collector passage in all positions of relative angular orientation of the plug and the said jackets.
 4. A propellant cartridge as defined in claim 3 in which the closed ends of said jackets are relatively spaced apart to define a connecting passage between said inlet port and said spiral groove in all positions of relative angular orientation of the inner and outer jackets about their cylindrical axes.
 5. A liquid product dispenser of the type in which a volatile pressurized liquid propellant from a propellant cartridge defining a propellant chamber housed within the product container is evaporated and selectively discharged into the atmosphere through a discharge passage under the control of a discharge valve, there being a delivery conduit for said product having an inlet end in communication with the product in the container, and having a delivery end in aspirating relation with said discharge passage, whereby discharge of propellant draws product through said delivery conduit for entrainment in and discharge with the propellant; the improvement wherein a portion of said delivery conduit between its inlet and delivery end encircles said propellant chamber externally thereof and in heat exchange relation with said propellant, said cartridge comprising inner and outer jackets in snug nesting relation, said portion of the delivery conduit being defined in part by a groove formed in one of said jackets at their interface, said groove encircling the inner jacket.
 6. A liquid product dispenser as defined in claim 5, in which said inner jacket is formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity.
 7. A liquid product dispenser as defined in claim 5, in which said groove is formed in the inner face of said outer jacket whereby to permit forming said inner jacket of minimum thickness and heat conductive capabilities without weakening it.
 8. A liquid product dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein said inner and outer jackets include portions of cylindrical configuration in snug telescoping relation and at the interface of which said groove is formed, said groove being of spiral configuration coaxial with said cylindrical jackets.
 9. A liquid product dispenser as defined in claim 8, in which said delivery conduit is in part defined by a continuous spiral groove in the inner surface of said outer jacket. 